I show you my finished paintings. I show you my work in progress. I wax poetic at times about working through resistance and loving life. It’s easy for me to present myself to you as a fully formed artist with my own style. Which is true. But what is also true is that I steal. I glean ideas, techniques, tricks of the trade from other artists then I take those nuggets of information back to my studio and add them to my toolbox, mixing them with my own ideas, techniques, and tricks. I’ve had the opportunity to learn directly from some really amazing artists and I’d like to pay them tribute over the next few posts, starting with my most recent workshop experience.

I’ve had an art crush on Katherine Stone and David Gluck for a long time now. Their blog, Painting Stuff to Look Like Stuff, is both hilarious and informative and they’re both amazing realist oil painters. So, imagine my excitement when I found out that Kate (Yeah, I called her Kate. I know her now, so we’re on a first name basis) was teaching a week-long workshop an hour from my house! And not only that, Dave was going to be there for the first couple of days, as well!! Aaand I was able to get a spot in the workshop!!! Seriously exciting. Just ask my husband… you would have thought I was meeting Dolly Parton and Elvis.

What’s even more exciting, though, is that the workshop totally lived up to my expectations. Kate was every bit as knowledgeable, approachable, and likable as her blog suggests (the same attributes apply to Dave, however since this was Kate’s workshop, I’m focusing this blog post on her. I’m certain a workshop taught by Dave would be every bit as valuable, though, and I would love to have that opportunity in the future). Not only that, but she is also just a fantastic teacher. There are a great many people who are very good at what they do. There are not a great many people who are very good at teaching what they do. Kate, however, is one of those rare people. Her knowledge is vast but she is so generous with it and she presents it so clearly that you leave excited, not over-whelmed.

Perhaps the best thing about Kate’s teaching style is her ability to meet every one of her students where they are. She was able to give each student what he or she needed personally.

In short, check out their blog, Painting Stuff to Look Like Stuff. Find a way to take a workshop from one or both of them. And if you do meet them in person tell them I said, “hi.” 🙂

Here are some photos of my unfinished still-life from the workshop. I’m trying to decide if I’m going to finish it or leave it in various stages of completion and keep it as a reminder